peaceful. I spoke to him again, but got no reply. Then looking at him more earnestly, I saw it was the sleep of death." Thus gently and lovingly the Lord took him home.

One great source of such fear and discomfort, on the part of not a few, is unbelieving haste. Not content with getting grace enough to carry to-day's burden, they would in their eagerness fain have enough to carry to-morrow's also-yea, and all the burdens that may at any time be laid upon them. They forget that it is not God's way to kindle night-lamps before the sun goes down, or to supply to-day the wants of to-morrow. Suffering grace comes with the suffering hour, and dying grace with the dying hour, but not earlier. Were this only more firmly and abidingly believed by God's children, they might be spared many a sad and clouded hour.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.-ISA. xliii. 2, 3.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.-Ps. xxiii. 4.

April 7.

TO DEAL HOPEFULLY WITH THE FALLEN, WE MUST

DEAL TENDERLY.

F there are occasions when to be faithful we must be

IF

stern in our utterances and rebuke with all severity— as when Paul said to Elymas the sorcerer, “O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?"-there are times, on

the other hand, when it is the meekness of wisdom that is specially required, with forbearing gentleness. It is thus written accordingly: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.'

The restoration of a fallen brother is not to be undertaken in a hard and haughty spirit which dwells bitterly on the sin, and brings its aggravations into undue relief, but rather in wise love and gracious tenderness. The enjoined spirit of meekness compassionates while it blames. Its fidelity is Jesus-like and full of sympathy; it does not break the bruised reed or quench the smoking flax.

It is the very want of such wise tenderness that often renders young disciples less able to deal with such cases. From not realizing their own weakness and the terrible power of subtle temptation, they are apt to become unduly harsh in their judgments; and thus while they may intend to help and win, in reality they only repel and harden. It is very different with experienced believers. That caution is seldom forgotten by them, Considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted;" and, therefore, instead of being, as perhaps once they were, severe on others and tender to themselves, they now judge others with charity and themselves with severity. Exhibiting this spirit, at once lowly and loving, they more readily win the ear of the fallen and gain access to their heart.

It is thus all-important, if we are to deal hopefully with the erring, to keep in abiding remembrance our own liability to fall, and constant dependence on the Spirit of

all grace. When Legh Richmond was once conversing with a neighbour on the case of a poor man, who had acted inconsistently with his Christian profession, his friend, after some severe remarks on the conduct of such persons, concluded by saying, "I have no notion of such pretences; I will have nothing more to do with him." "Nay, brother," replied Mr. Richmond, "let us be humble and moderate. With opportunity on the one hand, and Satan on the other, and the grace of God at neither, where should you and I be?" These are weighty words, and may well find place in every memory.

"Let me not forget," said an old Christian, " either my continual liability to fall if left to myself, or the faithful engagements of my God to keep me from falling. While I stand by faith, still the exhortation is most needful—' Be not high-minded, but fear.""

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.-JAMES V. 19, 20.

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.-Roм. xv. 1.

Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.-1 COR. X. 12.

April 8.

MANY OFTEN MISS THE GREAT BY OVERLOOKING

THE LITTLE.

T was well for Naaman, when wroth with the prophet,

IT

that he had among his servants one who could wisely say to him, "My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how

much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?" The simplicity of the remedy offended Naaman, and through unbelieving pride he was nearly missing for ever the cure of his body and the conversion of his soul. So is it with many to this day. The way of salvation seems to them foolishly simple and offensively freeWash, and be clean "-" Look unto me, all ye ends of the earth, and be ye saved;" and thus, instead of believing in Jesus, they turn away from him in the pride of their heart, and thereby finally and for ever miss the gift of gifts eternal life.

But besides this difficulty before conversion, there is often a somewhat similar stumbling after it, by which not a few entirely miss the great in holiness by overlooking the little. As nothing is insignificant in sin, so neither is anything insignificant in righteousness. Complete conformity, therefore, to the mind and will of God in everything in the small as well as in the great, in word as in deed-must ever be our constant aim and prayer.

Nowhere is the importance of this more seen than in the family circle, where the kind look, the soft answer, the willing help, not only gladden like sunshine, but are powerfully influential in winning to higher things. Without this we cannot be Jesus-like in spirit, or be helpful and honoured witnesses for his name in evil times.

The young merchant who takes care of his pounds, but is utterly heedless of his pence, is not likely to become rich. And so, the young Christian who is very careful about great duties, and very careless about what he thinks small ones, is not likely to become eminent

in holiness. Even little foxes spoil the vines, and need therefore to be carefully guarded against. "A holy life," as Dr. Bonar beautifully says, "is made up of a number of small things: little words, not eloquent speeches or sermons; little deeds, not miracles or battles; not one great heroic act or mighty martyrdom, make up the true Christian life. The little constant sunbeams, not the lightning-the waters of Siloah, that go softly in their meek mission of refreshment, and not the waters of the rivers, great and many, rushing down in torrent noise and force-are the true symbols of a holy life."

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. -MATT. v. 19.

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.-1 THESS. v. 23.

April 9.

THERE IS NO SAFER SEAT THAN AT THE FEET OF JESUS.

HOUGH Martha complained of Mary, it was without

THOUGH

just reason; for in reality Mary was not indifferent to her sister, or unwilling to share with her in domestic duties and responsibilities. She was only anxious at such a special time, when she might both learn and receive so much, to give such duties a subordinate place. She judged wisely in this; for when revealing himself, and ready to bestow with generous hand, our Lord would rather see receivers by his side than givers. Mary, knowing this, kept very near him, with open ear and open heart.